Council considers providing IT services
By Terry Murry on Monday, June 27th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – The Hermiston City Council meets at 7 p.m. today (Monday) and one of the items on the agenda is providing internet service to three groups that are not pleased with their current internet technology providers. They are the city of Umatilla, Umatilla County Fire District No. 1, and Morrow County.
Hermiston was faced with a rate increase for IT services of more than three times what it was paying earlier this year. InterMountain Education Service District had been the city’s provider. The decision was made to form its own information technology department. Further discussions revealed that at least three others were unhappy with their service. At tonight’s meeting, the council will vote on intergovernmental agreements with those three.
Morrow County is agreeing to pay $249,600 per year. The Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 agrees to $49,920 annually. The city of Umatilla has committed to $150,000 a year. Hermiston said the governmental agreements allows the city to hire a staff with the needed technical capabilities and afford the department enough time to service additional agencies. The contract with Morrow County is based on five days a week, the fire district agreement is for one day a week, and the city of Umatilla’s contract is for three days a week.
The council meets at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 South Highway 395. The meetings are streamed on the city’s YouTube channel. It is also accessible via Zoom. The meeting ID is 862 026 140 4112 and the pass code is 203345.
